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MEDIA RELEASE The state Department of Education (DOE) and the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) recently conducted a joint survey regarding the Educator Effectiveness System (EES), which was implemented statewide at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. The purpose of the joint survey was to gather teacher feedback on their experiences and opinions regarding […]

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Public school teachers to see equivalent of a 3 percent pay increase above the restored 5 percent cut

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MEDIA RELEASE On Monday, March 4, the state Department of Education received a written request from the Hawaii State Teachers Association to engage in mediation to assist the parties in reaching an agreement regarding the teachers’ contract. The DOE, together with the governor and state Board of Education representatives, agreed and responded affirmatively to HSTA. […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The State negotiations team has notified the Hawaii State Teachers Association it cannot responsibly accept its latest proposal, which would cost the State $1,050,445,815 over four years, mostly in additional compensation and benefit expenses. On Dec. 5, 2012 the State offered HSTA $49.2 million in pay increases – 2 percent annual increases for […]

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Statement from Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe regarding negotiations and HSTA proposal to state, dated Jan. 11: The Hawaii State Teachers Association and the State returned to the bargaining table. HSTA came to the table with a proposal based on an honest assessment of where the Educator Effectiveness System currently stands and a […]

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Statement from Wil Okabe, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, regarding negotiations (dated Dec. 10) Today, HSTA resumed negotiations with the State. Unfortunately, the third bargaining session was cut short as the State declared its offer expired, since HSTA could not accept the offer in its entirety. The State’s two year, $49 million economic […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The state’s negotiating team presented a comprehensive settlement offer to the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) hoping to reach a resolution for public school teachers and students. Tuesday evening, HSTA’s negotiating team responded that it was unwilling to accept the offer. The state’s settlement offer for a 2013-15 contract included: * $49 million […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie issued the following statement regarding the resumption of collective bargaining with HSTA. Abercrombie said: “The state and HSTA returned to the table on Nov. 14 for what I understand were productive negotiations regarding our proposal presented to HSTA in July 2012. I was disappointed to hear HSTA characterize the meetings […]

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MEDIA RELEASE On Aug. 20, 2012 the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) and the State of Hawaii agreed to engage the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to resolve our differences for the sake of students and school teachers. The Federal Mediator informed the state on Thursday, Oct. 4 that HSTA will no […]

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MEDIA RLEASE On Aug. 14, Gov. Neil Abercrombie sent a letter to the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) President Wil Okabe inviting the teachers’ union to engage the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. Abercrombie said the invitation “is not about establishing who is right or who is wrong, but rather to re-engage HSTA in discussions […]

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MEDIA RELEASE In January 2012, members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association voted down a tentative agreement. HSTA presented a new proposal to the State in February; the State made a settlement offer in March. Wednesday afternoon, HSTA President Wil Okabe informed Gov. Neil Abercrombie that teachers voted on the rejected January agreement in what […]

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Hawaii State Teachers Association is urging members to take the time Thursday to attend one of the statewide informational meetings. * Honolulu: McKinley High School, Hirata Hall, 3-6 p.m. * Honolulu: Kaiser High School, Cafeteria, 3-5:30 p.m. * Central: Leilehua High School, Cafeteria, 3:30-5:30 p.m. * Leeward: Waianae High School, Cafeteria, 3:30-5:30 p.m. * Leeward: […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie has responded to a letter received by the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) last night. HSTA president Wil Okabe sent a letter that notified the governor of HSTA’s intention to seek ratification of the January 2012 proposed agreement that was previously rejected by its members. Prior to this letter, negotiations […]

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On April 18th, Hawaii State Third Circuit Court Judge Glenn S. Hara granted the joint motion of the Hawaii State Board of Education (BOE) and Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School (LCPCS) to dismiss the action filed by the Hawaii State Teachers’ Association (HSTA), Robert Beekman and Andrea Wilson that attempted to block the opening of […]

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